Auger dip apparatus for applying antimicrobial solution

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an auger dip apparatus for the application of antimicrobial solution to raw food. Embodiments of the present disclosure may use an auger as a single moving part to move the food work pieces through the application area for antimicrobial solution. Embodiments of the present disclosure are simple with only one moving auger part to move the food pieces, and the bearing for the moving part, supporting the shaft of the auger, may be configured to be outside of the cabinet with the reservoir of the antimicrobial solution, so that the bearing is not in contact with the antimicrobial solution. This provides for less maintenance and downtime, particularly unscheduled downtime, than a system using more complicated exposed parts. The present disclosure also permits a more compact and lighter configuration for an assembled application unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/113,176 filed on Dec. 7, 2020, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/751,762 filed on Jan. 24, 2020, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,888,103 issued Jan. 12, 2021, which is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/095,711 filed on Oct. 23, 2018,now U.S. Pat. No. 10,575,540 issued Mar. 3, 2020, which is a 371National Phase Application of International Application No.PCT/US2016/029299 filed Apr. 26, 2016, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application involves systems and apparatus for treating food,including raw food, such as raw chicken, including whole chickencarcasses and cut up chicken parts. Specifically, this applicationconcerns apparatus for applying antimicrobial solution to raw meat andvegetables and fruit, including chicken parts, steak and other workpieces.

BACKGROUND

A number of apparatuses exist in the prior art to apply antimicrobialsolutions to food items. These include apparatus that carry wholechicken carcasses on hooks on conveyors through spray cabinets. Thisprior art also includes the use of conveyor belts to submerge cut upchicken parts into reservoirs with antimicrobial solution. In this priorapparatus, the antimicrobial solution, once applied to the chicken, mayresult in substantial runoff of the antimicrobial solution, which isrecycled for use on the subsequent food items entering the system. Theantimicrobial solution is applied to the food items as they pass throughthe application apparatus and the food items come out of the apparatuswith the benefit of the application of the antimicrobial solution.

For example, the antimicrobial treatment solution may be sprayed ontothe surface of the food product to be treated with a saturating spray,as are known in the art. Examples of antimicrobial treatment systemsincluding spray application are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,720,issued Jun. 1, 2004, to Noland for SPRAY APPLICATION SYSTEM; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/471,846, filed Aug. 28, 2014, titled APPLICATIONSYSTEM AND RECYCLE AND RELATED USE OF ANTIMICROBIAL QUATERNARY AMMONIUMCOMPOUND; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/510,385, filed Oct. 9,2014, titled ANTIMICROBIAL APPLICATION SYSTEM WITH RECYCLE AND CAPTURE,the contents of each are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an auger dip apparatus forthe application of antimicrobial solution to raw food. Embodiments ofthe present disclosure use an auger as a single moving part to move thework pieces, such as food items or food pieces, through the applicationarea for antimicrobial solution. This eliminates prior art practices ofusing conveyor belts, or hooks on conveyor tracks, to move the workpieces through the application area. These prior art devices have manymoving lubricated mechanical parts that are exposed to the antimicrobialsolution, which is water-based and acidic, which causes maintenanceproblems. Embodiments of the present disclosure are simpler than theprior art, with only one moving part to move the work pieces. Also, thebearing for the moving part, supporting the shaft of the auger, isconfigured to be outside of the cabinet with the reservoir of theantimicrobial solution, so that the bearing is not in contact with theantimicrobial solution. This provides for less maintenance and downtime,particularly unscheduled downtime, than a system using more complicatedexposed parts. The apparatus of the present disclosure may move workpieces through the application process for the antimicrobial solution ina more reliable manner that requires less maintenance and subjects fewerlubricated metal parts to the antimicrobial solution. The presentdisclosure also permits a more compact and lighter configuration for anassembled application unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of present disclosure are described herein, by way ofexample, in conjunction with the following various features andcharacteristics of the non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodimentsdisclosed and described in this specification, may be better understoodby reference to the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 is a side view with the lid closed of an embodiment of theapparatus.

FIG. 2 is a top down view with the lid open of an embodiment of theapparatus.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the cabinet cut away, in an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the lid with a latch and switch on the lidof an

FIG. 5 is a side view of the other side with the control panel of anembodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a diagonal view of an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a top diagonal view of an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a low-end view of an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a close-up side view with the catch pan and the second latchand second switch of an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a high-end view of the apparatus.

FIG. 11 shows a flap over the entrance hopper intermittently coveringthe auger to protect work pieces from being sliced by the edge of theauger flights.

FIG. 12 shows a close-up view of an auger having a paddle featureextending from a flight according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure includes systems and methods of treating workpieces with antimicrobial solutions. The systems and methods may includeapplying antimicrobial solution to work pieces conveyed through anapparatus configured to the apply antimicrobial solution to the workpieces while the work pieces are conveyed through the apparatus. Invarious embodiments, work pieces may include raw foods, such as meats,e.g., beef, pork, chicken, fish, or other raw meat. For example, workpieces may include whole chicken carcasses, chicken sections, cut upchicken parts, etc. In some embodiments, work pieces may include fruitsor vegetables.

FIGS. 1-12 illustrate various views of an apparatus 10 configured toapply antimicrobial solution to work pieces according to variousembodiments described herein. With specific reference to FIG. 1, theapparatus 10 includes a cabinet 131. A lid 130 is mounted to the cabinet131 and is movable between an open position and a closed position toopen and close the cabinet 131. In one example, hinges may be providedat one side of the lid 130 to allow the lid 130 to rotate between theopen position and the closed position.

With specific reference to FIG. 2, illustrating the apparatus 10 withthe lid 130 removed from the cabinet 131, the cabinet 131 is dimensionedto house an auger 211. The auger 211 includes flights having helicalspiral surfaces that extend radially from a rotatable shaft. Inoperation, work pieces may be positioned in the cabinet 131 and bemovable therethrough by operation of the auger 211. For example,rotation of the shaft in combination with the flights may move the workpieces from the lower end of the auger 211 to the upper end of the auger211.

With specific reference to FIG. 3, providing a cutaway side of thecabinet 131, the cabinet 131 defines a reservoir 312 along its lower endthat is dimensioned to retain antimicrobial solution and through which alower end of the augur 211 may extend. In FIG. 3, the cabinet 131 isshown having antimicrobial solution retained in the reservoir 312 andthe auger 211 extending through the cabinet between the upper end andthe lower end wherein at least a portion of the auger 211 is submergedby antimicrobial solution in the reservoir 312 at the lower end. Theantimicrobial solution may be retained to a maximum liquid level in thereservoir 312, which is shown extending along dashed line 311. Themaximum liquid level may extend between a drainage grid 128 and an areaalong the back wall of the lower end of the cabinet 131. Antimicrobialsolution flowing onto the drainage grid 128 drains through the drainagegrid 128 out of the auger cabinet 131 into a catch pan 611.

With reference again to FIG. 1 and continued reference to the cutawayside view provided in FIG. 3, a gear box 111, which may comprise ametallic or alloy material, such as stainless steel, sterling, orstainless steel sterling, for example, may be coupled to the auger 211.The gear box 111 may be powered by a motor to turn the auger 211 tothereby move work pieces from a lower end to an upper end of theapparatus 10. The motor may be an electric motor or other suitablemotor, which may be adjacent to the gear box 111 or otherwiseoperatively coupled thereto. A bearing 127 may be used to support thelower end of the shaft of the auger 211. In the illustrated embodiment,the bearing 127 is located outside of the cabinet 131 with theantimicrobial reservoir 312 so that the bearing 127 is not submerged inantimicrobial solution. In the illustrated embodiment, the bearing 127is a stainless steel bearing, however, in some embodiments, otherbearing materials may be used. There may be a seal 132, such as a Bunashaft seal, outside the cabinet 131, on the shaft of the auger 211,between the cabinet 131 and the bearing 127, to keep the antimicrobialsolution retained within the reservoir 312 from leaking onto thebearing. One embodiment of the apparatus 10 may have an auger about 9feet long, and the total apparatus 10 may be about 3 feet wide and 7feet tall. These are not considered to be critical dimensions but may betypical or convenient for specific embodiments.

The cabinet 131 and auger 211 of the apparatus 10 may be tilted suchthat each includes a lower end and an upper end wherein work piecesenter the apparatus 10 at lower ends and exit the apparatus 10 at theupper ends. The angle of tilt may allow a continuous path through thecabinet 131 wherein a portion of the auger 211 along its lower end is atleast partially submerged in antimicrobial solution while the upper endof the auger 211 is not. This configuration allows initial dipping ofthe work pieces followed by separation of the liquids. The tilt may alsoprovide reduction in parts due to harnessing gravitational forces toboth separate excess liquids from the work pieces as well as collect theexcess liquids. In various embodiments, angles of tilt may be greaterthan 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees. In one example, the apparatus10 includes a tilt angle of about 20 degrees, about 30 degrees, about 40degrees, or about 50 degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, theapparatus 10 includes a tilt angle of about 25 degrees.

The apparatus 10 includes an entrance hopper 129 through which workpieces may be provided into the apparatus 10. The entrance hopper 129 ispositioned at the lower end of the cabinet 131 above the reservoir 312.Work pieces passing through the entrance hopper 129 fall into thereservoir 312 and between flights of the auger 211 extending from theshaft along the lower end of the auger 211. The entrance hopper 129 maybe configured to feed work pieces into the cabinet 131 at about aperpendicular angle to the bottom of the cabinet 131 or at an angle lessthan 90 degrees with respect to antimicrobial solution surface (e.g.,the horizontal) within the reservoir 312. Other angles may also be used.For example, in some embodiments, the entrance hopper 129 may be inlineand positioned to feed work pieces to the reservoir 312 at angles aboutparallel to the bottom of the cabinet 131 or the antimicrobial solutionsurface (e.g., the horizontal) within the reservoir 312.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 may include one or moresensors to detect work pieces conveyed through the cabinet 131. In oneexample, the apparatus 10 may include one, two, or more, photoelectriceye sensors 255 to detect work pieces conveyed through the cabinet 131,e.g., entering or exiting. Photoelectric eye sensors 255 may beconfigured to transmit detected work piece counts to a control panel113, described in more detail below with respect to FIG. 5, FIG. 8, andFIG. 10. In one embodiment, a photoelectric eye sensor 255 is mounted onthe entrance hopper 129 to detect work pieces entering the cabinet 131.An xducer 122 may be operationally coupled to the recycle tank 125 todetect characteristics or conditions of the antimicrobial solution inthe recycle tank 125. The xducer 122 may be in communication with thecontrol panel 113 to provide the detected characteristics or conditionsfor inclusion in the operating data.

With reference to the views provided in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, one or moreagitation ports 120 may be positioned to provide an agitating stream ofantimicrobial solution within the reservoir 312. In the illustratedembodiment, as most clearly shown in FIG. 2, an agitation port 120extends through a sidewall along the lower end of the cabinet 131 toprovide an agitating stream of antimicrobial solution within thereservoir 312. The agitation port 120 in conjunction with a pump 126(see FIG. 1) configured to pump antimicrobial solution toward theagitation port 120 may be supplied with a rate and volume ofantimicrobial solution sufficient to agitate the solution in thereservoir 312. In some embodiments, the agitation port 120 is configuredto receive and direct antimicrobial solution into the reservoir 312 at asufficient volume, rate, and location to agitate or rotate work pieceswithin the reservoir 312. In some embodiments, the agitation port 120may include a nozzle to focus or direct the stream.

With continued reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the apparatus 10 may beconfigured with various tolerances between the flights of the augur 211and surfaces of the cabinet 131 and the lid 131. In various embodiments,tolerance between an auger flight and a bottom surface of the cabinet131 may be about 3/16 inch to about ¼ inch. The allowable tolerance maybe generally related to a desired size of the work pieces fed to theapparatus 10. For example, larger tolerances may be acceptable forlarger work pieces while smaller tolerances may be better for smallerwork pieces that may otherwise become lodged between or pass throughspaces between the flights and the bottom of the cabinet 131. Similartolerances may be provided along the sides and top of the cabinet 131.In some embodiments, larger tolerances or gaps may be acceptable alongthe top of the cabinet 131 where work pieces are less likely to beduring operation. For example, the outer edges of flights and aninterior surface of the lid 130 may define a gap of about 3 inches.Under the entrance hopper 129 there may be about a ¼ inch tolerancebetween the lower end of the auger flight and the back wall or lowerwall of the cabinet 131 for the auger 211 and the reservoir 312 forantimicrobial solution. This small tolerance may necessarily ensure thatwhatever falls into the entrance hopper 129 must be moved up the auger211 to exit out of the rinse 118. A larger tolerance may allow workpieces to remain in the bottom of the auger 211 and pass through thetolerance.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, in operation, work pieces are movedthrough the cabinet 131 by the revolving auger 211 out of the reservoir312 to the upper end of the auger 211, which extends to about point 212at the lower edge or fallout from the apparatus 10 at the rinse 118. Atthe upper end of the auger 211, work pieces fall out of the apparatus 10at point 212 through the rinse 118. The rinse 118 may be operable torinse the work pieces as they fall from the top of the auger 211. In theillustrated embodiment, the rinse 118 is a 360 degree rinse, however, insome embodiments, the apparatus 10 does not include a rinse 118 or a 360degree rinse.

In some embodiments, the tilt angle, length of the cabinet 131, andheight of the entrance hopper 129 and exit may be configured to provideacceptance and exit of work pieces through the apparatus 10 on about asimilar plane. For example, as best shown in FIG. 3, work pieces mayenter the apparatus 10 at the front edge of the entrance hopper 129 andexit the apparatus 10 at the bottom edge of the rinse 118 along about asame plane. Work pieces may exit the apparatus 10 perpendicular to thehorizontal. In other embodiments, the work pieces may exit the cabinet131 in-line with the bottom of the cabinet 131 or the horizontal.However, other embodiments may include other angles of exit.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, illustrating flow paths (arrows) ofliquid through the apparatus 10, and further reference to FIG. 1, as thework pieces are moved toward the upper end of the auger 211 by therotation of the auger 211, the work pieces pass through theantimicrobial solution and out of the antimicrobial solution. At thatpoint, the antimicrobial solution drains from the work pieces throughthe drainage grid 128. A liquid cleanout 115 for the drainage grid 128for the apparatus 10 may be configured to spray antimicrobial solutioninto the apparatus 10 at a lower end of the drainage grid 128 to helpclean out the drainage grid 128. The liquid cleanout 115 for thedrainage grid 128 sprays antimicrobial solution onto the drainage grid128 to drain the fluid down through the drainage grid 128 out of theauger cabinet 131 into the catch pan 611. The liquid cleanout 115 mayinclude a spray bar coupled to a recycle tank 125 and pump 126 and mayinclude one or more fluid ports 177 for directing antimicrobial solutiononto the drainage grid 128. The fluid ports 177 may be open ports or mayinclude nozzles to focus or direct the antimicrobial solution. In theillustrated embodiment, the liquid cleanout 115 includes three fluidports 177, without nozzles, that extend from a spray bar positioned todirect antimicrobial solution onto the drainage grid 128. The fluidports 177 may extend through the lid 130 to direct the antimicrobialsolution onto the drainage grid 128 when the lid 130 is in the closedposition.

An overflow 119 allows the removal from the catch pan 611 of excessliquid that overflows from the lower end of the auger 211, e.g., fromsurfaces of work pieces, the reservoir 312, and liquid clean out 115.The overflow 119 is positioned to deliver the excess liquid to therecycle tank 125. The recycle tank 125 may therefore collect theantimicrobial solution from catch pan 611 in the apparatus 10 andrecycle it into the apparatus 10 to reuse. The pump 126 is coupledbetween the recycle tank 125 and the agitation port 120 and liquid cleanout 115 to direct antimicrobial solution from the recycle tank 125. Inone embodiment, the pump 126 is an LKH-10 pump.

A bypass valve 124 and a capture valve 121 may be operable to allowantimicrobial solution to bypass the agitation port 120 and liquidcleanout 115 and be routed to a capture unit for separatingantimicrobial from the solution prior to disposal.

The apparatus 10 further includes a cam latch 114, 117 configured tosecurely hold the lid 130 closed over the cabinet 131. In theillustrated embodiment, the apparatus 10 includes a first and a secondcam latch 114, 117, however, in some embodiments, additional or fewercam latches may be used 114, 117. A safety limit switch 112, 116 may beoperative to prevent the auger 211 from turning when the lid 130 is inthe open position, to permit the auger 211 to turn when the lid 130 isin the closed position, or both. In the illustrated embodiment, a firstand a second safety switch 112, 116 are disposed on the lid 130 topermit the auger 211 to turn only when the lid 130 is in the closedposition. In other embodiments, one or more safety switches 112, 116 maybe disposed elsewhere, such as on the cabinet 131. The safety switches112, 116 may be manually actuatable, such as integrated with a latch114, 117, or may be activated by the engagement or disengagement of thelid 130 and cabinet 131 when the lid 130 transitions between the openand closed positions.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the latch 114 on the lid 130. In theillustrated embodiment, when the lid 130 is closed and pulled down bythe cam latch 114, the lid 130 will activate the switch 112 and allowthe auger 211 to turn. The safety switches 112, 116 are wired in seriessuch that both switches 112, 116 must be activated to allow the auger211 to turn. This configuration ensures that the auger 211 does notrotate while the lid 130 is in the open position, potentiallyendangering an operator.

As best shown in the views provided in FIG. 5, FIG. 8, and FIG. 10, theapparatus 10 may include a control panel 113 operative to controloperations of the apparatus 10. FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of thecontrol panel 113 according to one embodiment. FIG. 8 shows a rear viewof the door of the control panel 113. With reference to FIG. 10, showinga front view of the door of the control panel 113, the control panel mayinclude an interface 411, which may include a display 325, configured todisplay a readout of operating data. The control panel 113 may alsocommunicate operating data to a remote control center by Internet,ethernet, Intranet, other telecommunications network, other computernetwork or otherwise. The control panel 113 may collect operating dataand transmit the data remotely. The control panel 113 may receivecontrol instructions from a remote control center. The control panel 113may contain a programmable processor, memory, ethernet card, or othercomponents as necessary.

FIG. 6 shows a diagonal view of the apparatus 10. In one embodiment, anexternal chute or conveyor or slide to the entrance hopper 129 may bebuilt on site and may be specific to the site. Likewise, a collectionconveyor or bin or chute for the treated work pieces leaving theapparatus 10 at 118 may also be constructed and be specific to the site.Catch pan 611 is also shown, which collects the antimicrobial solutiondraining through the drainage grid 128 from the work pieces in the auger211 above the level of the reservoir 312 of the antimicrobial solution.Liquid collected in the catch pan 611 is returned to the recycle tank125 to be recycled and used again to treat work pieces in the apparatus10. The rinse 118 creates a water curtain inside the exit chute to rinsethe work pieces leaving the apparatus 10. The rinse may be with water orwith antimicrobial solution. The length of the chute may be longer orshorter in a particular installation.

FIG. 7 provides a diagonal view of the apparatus with the lid 130removed from the cabinet 131 and showing the augur 211 extending throughthe cabinet 131.

FIG. 9 shows a close-up side view of the catch pan 611, latch 116, andsafety switch 117 on the lid 130. This shows a close-up of the catch pan611 wherein liquids including excess antimicrobial solution that passthrough the drainage grid 128 are collected.

As most clearly shown in FIG. 10, a dump valve 123 may be coupled to therecycle tank 125 to allow liquid held therein to be dumped through anexit 133 to the floor when the apparatus 10 is being cleaned, e.g.,during sanitation at the end of a shift. As most clearly shown in FIG.8, another dump valve 252 may be coupled between the reservoir 312 andthe recycle tank 125 to allow the reservoir 312 to be emptied.

FIG. 11 shows a flap 2112 over the entrance hopper 129 intermittentlycovering the auger 211 to protect work pieces from being sliced by theedge of the auger flight. For certain types of work pieces such assteak, it is possible without flap 2112 for the steak to fall on theouter edge of the auger flight and be sliced in two or otherwise damagedas the edge of the auger flight passes under the top edge 2118 of theentrance hopper 129. This is because of a small tolerance between theouter edge of the auger flight and the edge of the hopper. To avoidthis, a flap 2112 made out of stiff plastic or other material isinstalled with a flexible hinge connection at the lower end of thehopper 2113. Hence, as the edge of an auger flight passes from thebottom of the device 2114 to the top of the device 2115, it raises theflap 2112 to entirely close off the entrance hopper 129, from a flapposition where the entrance hopper 129 is entirely open. Hence, as theedge of the auger flight approaches the top end 2118 of the entrancehopper 129, it entirely raises the flap 2112 and entirely closes off theentrance hopper 129 so that work pieces do not fall on the edge of theauger flight and be cut in half as the edge of the flight passes underthe top of the entrance hopper 129. As the edge of the flight 211 passesunder the top edge of the hopper 129, the edge of the flight no longersupports the flap 2112 and the flap 2112 falls open and accumulated workpieces fall safely between the auger flights and are not cut by the edgeof the auger 211. As the next flight passes, it slowly raises up theflap 2112 and closes off the entrance hopper 129 when the auger flightapproaches the top edge of the entrance hopper 129 with no work piecesfalling on the edge of the flight. This way, work pieces are preventedfrom falling across the edge of the auger flights and only fall betweenthe auger flights and are not damaged by the edge of the auger flights.

Referring to FIG. 12, the auger 211 may include paddle features alongthe flights. In one configuration, the paddle features include paddlesor vanes extending from the flights and positioned to flip or move workpieces when the auger 211 is rotated. In one such configuration, thepaddle features are located along the portion of the auger 211 extendingabove the drainage grid 128. The auger 211 at about point 213 (see FIG.3) may include welded to the upper side of the flight a paddle or vaneconfigured to flip or move the work pieces on the auger 211 to break upany clumps of work pieces to ensure proper drainage of antimicrobialsolution from the work pieces through the drainage grid 128. FIG. 12illustrates a paddle feature 250 positioned along a flight according toone embodiment. The paddle feature 250 includes a paddle 251 welded tothe upper side of the flight adjacent to the outer edge configured toflip or move the work pieces contacting the paddle 251 when the auger211 is rotated.

In one embodiment, most of the metal parts may be made out of stainlesssteel to facilitate cleaning. Various antimicrobial solutions may beused in embodiments, alone or in combination. For example, Cecure,Citrilow or Peragonn, all available from Safe Foods Corporation, ofNorth Little Rock, Ark., may be used, or other solutions may be used.

In one embodiment, various aspects of the disclosure, include anapparatus for applying an antimicrobial solution to work pieces thatcomprises (a) a rotating auger to move a plurality of work piecesthrough a reservoir of antimicrobial solution, (b) a paddle attached toa flight of the auger, at a point above the reservoir of antimicrobialsolution, the paddle attached at an angle to the surface of the flightat the point of attachment and not parallel to the flight, such that thepaddle protrudes from the flight and disturbs any clumps of work piecesthat the paddle comes in contact with, (c) a cabinet enclosing theauger, tilted at an angle parallel to the auger with an upper end and alower end, adapted to hold a reservoir of antimicrobial solution in thelow end of the cabinet, with the low end of the auger submerged in theantimicrobial solution, and wherein the cabinet further comprises anentrance hopper in the top of the lower end of the cabinet, an exit inthe bottom of the upper end of the cabinet with a 360 degree rinse inthe exit, a drainage grid in the bottom of the cabinet above the levelof the reservoir of the antimicrobial solution, a flap over the entrancehopper, hingedly attached to the lower edge of the hopper opening,structured to be pushed up to close off the hopper by each flight of theauger as the flight moves up across the hopper entrance, and which flapis structured to fall between the flights and open the hopper as eachflight passes under the upper edge of the hopper, a catch pan beneaththe drainage grid structured to catch antimicrobial solution drainingthrough the grid and to return the solution to a recycle tank, a lidover the top of the cabinet with a plurality of cam latches closing thelid over the cabinet, and a plurality of limit switches in series, whichswitches are closed when the lid is closed, and which switches are wiredin series and structured such that the auger may rotate only when thelid is closed and each switch is closed, a motor, a gear box, andbearings for the shaft of the auger located outside of the cabinet andnot exposed to the antimicrobial solution, and with a seal locatedbetween the lower bearing and the cabinet to keep the antimicrobialsolution from contacting the bearing, and one or more photo electric eyesensors on the entrance hopper configured to detect work pieces enteringthe cabinet, (d) a control panel electronically communicating with theapparatus and adapted to control any motors and valves on the apparatusand to collect and display data collected from any sensors or processorson the apparatus, (e) the control panel further adapted to communicatewith a remote processor through the Internet, phone system, ethernet, orotherwise to transmit the data collected or displayed and to receiveinstructions to control the motors and valves on the apparatus, and (f)wherein the apparatus is assembled on a metal frame and measures about 9feet tall, about 7 feet long, and about 3 feet wide.

In one example, the auger may include a shaft having a diameter of about1.5 inches and flights having an outer diameter of about 20 inches.

The present disclosure is not limited in its application to the detailsof construction and the arrangement of components set forth in thedescription or illustrated in the drawings herein. The disclosure iscapable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways.

For example, in an embodiment, the application area for theantimicrobial solution inside the cabinet may not consist of a reservoirof antimicrobial solution as discussed herein above, but may insteadconsist of a spray of antimicrobial solution inside the lower end of thecabinet, directed onto the work pieces moving up the auger. In thiscase, the vanes or paddles on the auger flights to disrupt clumps ofwork pieces may be found anywhere along the entire length of the auger,including the application area and the drainage grid area above theapplication area. In this case, the spray application area may collectthe used sprayed solution at the bottom of the cabinet and send it tothe recycle tank for re-spraying on subsequent work pieces. Also, inthis embodiment, the drainage grid area may extend under the sprayapplication area; and the cabinet and auger may be horizontal ratherthan inclined up from the application area.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a cabinet tilted at anangle with an upper end and a lower end, the cabinet comprising areservoir of antimicrobial solution in the lower end of the cabinet; anauger disposed within the cabinet with at least a portion thereofsubmerged in the reservoir of antimicrobial solution, the auger beingconfigured to move work pieces through the reservoir of antimicrobialsolution from the lower end to the upper end; and a drainage griddisposed within the cabinet above the reservoir of antimicrobialsolution.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a catch panbelow the drainage grid configured to collect antimicrobial solutiondraining off of the work pieces and through the drainage grid.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, further comprising a recycle tank, wherein thecatch pan comprises an outlet configured to direct the collectedantimicrobial solution to the recycle tank.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein the recycle tank comprises a sensor configured to detectcharacteristics or conditions of the antimicrobial solution in therecycle tank.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a controlpanel, wherein the sensor of the recycle tank is in communication withthe control panel.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the recycle tankcomprises a bypass valve and a capture valve each coupled thereto;wherein, when opened, the bypass valve allows antimicrobial solution tobe directed from the recycle tank back to the cabinet for reuse; andwherein, when opened, the capture valve allows antimicrobial solution tobe directed from the recycle tank to a capture unit for separatingantimicrobial from the antimicrobial solution.
 7. The apparatus of claim6, wherein the recycle tank further comprises a dump valve coupledthereto; and wherein, when opened, the dump valve allows fluid to drainfrom the recycle tank.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising anozzle configured to spray at least a portion of the drainage grid. 9.The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the bypass valve of the recycle tankis in fluid communication with the nozzle.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9,further comprising a pump configured to pump antimicrobial solution fromthe recycle tank, through the bypass valve, and to the nozzle.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 3, further comprising an agitation port connectingthe recycle tank to the reservoir within the cabinet and a pumpconfigured to pump fluid from the recycle tank and through the agitationport to agitate work pieces within the reservoir.
 12. A method oftreating work pieces with an antimicrobial solution comprising:introducing the work pieces into a lower end of a cabinet comprising areservoir of the antimicrobial solution therein; transporting the workpieces on an incline through the cabinet and out of the reservoir;draining antimicrobial solution from the work pieces; and dischargingthe work pieces from the cabinet.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereindraining the antimicrobial solution from the work pieces comprisesdraining the antimicrobial solution through a drainage grid and into acatch pan.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising spraying thework pieces with antimicrobial solution after the work pieces are out ofthe reservoir of antimicrobial solution.
 15. The method of claim 14,further comprising recycling antimicrobial solution from the catch panto a spray bar, wherein the spray bar is used to spray the work pieceswith antimicrobial solution after the work pieces are out of thereservoir of antimicrobial solution.
 16. The method of claim 14, whereinspraying the work pieces further comprises spraying at least a portionof the drainage grid to clean the drainage grid.
 17. The method of claim15, wherein recycling antimicrobial solution comprises directing theantimicrobial solution from the catch pan into a recycle tank andpumping the antimicrobial solution from the recycle tank to the spraybar.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising monitoring therecycle tank using one or more sensors.
 19. The method of claim 13,further comprising recycling antimicrobial solution from the catch pan,through an agitation port, and into the reservoir of antimicrobialsolution, thereby agitating work pieces within the reservoir.
 20. Themethod of claim 12, wherein transporting the work pieces comprises usinga rotating auger disposed within the cabinet.